[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 214 (Monday, November 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27476]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-163-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A Series 
Airplanes Equipped With Certain Air Cruisers Evacuation Slides

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model 
BAe 146-100A, -200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -
RJ100A series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each 
door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies. 
This proposal is prompted by a report that, during operational checks 
of evacuation slides on in-service airplanes, the inflation valves 
failed to deploy the evacuation slide properly. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the evacuation 
slide to deploy automatically on demand, which would necessitate the 
flight crew to manually deploy the slide; this situation could delay or 
impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 4, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-163-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Holdings, Inc., Avro International 
Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington, DC 20041-6039; and Air Cruisers Company, P.O. Box 180, 
Belmar, New Jersey 07719-0180. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace 
Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (206) 227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-163-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-163-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, 
-200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A series 
airplanes equipped with certain Air Cruiser evacuation slides. The CAA 
advises that, during operational checks of evacuation slides on these 
airplanes, the inflation valves failed to deploy the evacuation slide 
properly. Subsequent investigation, conducted by Air Cruisers (the 
manufacturer of the evacuation slides), revealed that the existing 
design of the inflation valves requires excessive operating pull force 
to activate deployment of the evacuation slide. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the evacuation slide to deploy 
automatically, which necessitates the flight crew to manually deploy 
the slide. This situation could delay or impede the evacuation of 
passengers during an emergency.
    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision 
2, dated July 10, 1993, which describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each 
door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies. 
The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory.
    Addditionally, Air Cruisers Company has issued Service Bulletin 
S.B. 201-25-17, dated June 4, 1992, which describes procedures for 
modification of the inflation valve of the evacuation slide. This 
modification entails replacing the existing valve with a new, improved 
valve. The new valve has a lower maximum operating pull force, which 
will permit the evacuation slide to deploy automatically on demand.
    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined 
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require repetitive 
inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each 
door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies. 
The proposed AD would also require modification of the inflation valve 
of the evacuation slide, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspection requirements. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3.5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $8,610, or $210 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES-

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended] -

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International 
Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, PLC; British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Docket 94-NM-163-AD.

    Applicability: Model British Aerospace BAe 146-100A, -200A, -
300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A series airplanes; 
equipped with Air Cruisers Company evacuation slides, as listed in 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision 2, dated 
July 10, 1993; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the evacuation slide to deploy 
automatically, which necessitates the flight crew to manually deploy 
the slide and subsequently could delay or impede the evacuation of 
passengers during an emergency, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
an inspection to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at 
each door position, in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993.
    (1) If the slide deploys properly, repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months.
    (2) If any slide fails to deploy properly, prior to further 
flight, conduct the actions specified in paragraphs 2.A.3 through 
2.A.6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the inflation valves of the evacuation slide, in accordance with Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 201-25-17, dated June 4, 
1992. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27476 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]
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